Actors Paora Taurima and Simon K. Leary - picture by Courtney Tonkin. Tonight is opening night for the eagerly anticipated Auckland season of the play Mates and Lovers – and the hardworking team bringing it to the stage is over the moon after securing a prime slot at next year's Dunedin Fringe Festival. Director Ronald T. Nelson from Fabulous Arts Aotearoa New Zealand has a massive desire to take the play all over New Zealand, so the gay history it tells can be shared beyond just the biggest centres. Mates and Lovers is Nelson's stage adaptation of Chris Brickell's Montana Book Award winning history book, which shares many untold stories of gay men throughout the years. Nelson says he had to vie strongly for a major venue for the Dunedin Fringe Festival, telling organisers that "for too long our stories have been in back alleys and we want the main stage". He has landed a slot at the historic Fortune Theatre for the festival, which runs from 17-27 March next year. The director is hopeful that GLBT people from all over the South Island, particularly small towns, will come along and see the show. The confirmation of a major fringe season has further buoyed the cast and crew heading into tonight's opening of Mates and Lovers at The Basement in Auckland. Ticket sales are already strong and Nelson believes people are 'clicking into the imagery' as the picture of the two actors, a recreation of the original book's cover, is promoted all over town. "Nobody's ever seen a show like this," Nelson says. "Nobody's ever seen these stories or ideas on stage." There is a strong Auckland contingent behind the scenes of the play, which has been reworked from its Wellington debut and includes new choreography by Tai Royal and a freshened score from Samuel Holloway. Actors Paora Taurima and Simon K. Leary are literally giving their all to the production, as the show is adults only as it includes powerful nude scenes and mature themes. Both openly gay, they are excited about being a part of bringing such important stories to life, with Leary earlier telling GayNZ.com he has enjoyed the experience of looking back on where he has come from. "And really trying to embody the people that have existed and to have these stories, these wonderful stories that I think do need to be told." Mates and Lovers opens at The Basement on Lower Greys Ave tonight and runs until Saturday 27 November. Tickets: $23 waged / $20 unwaged / $18 Groups 6+ Bookings: http://www.iticket.co.nz/ 0508 iticket www.basementspace.co.nz
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 17th November 2010 - 10:56am